A polished makeup look can be a tricky matter when you want it to last throughout your busy day or a special event at night. It is easy for formulas to slip off or fade away. To combat this, investing in quality products is the first step in the process. Here are some tried and true tips for maintaining polished makeup looks!
Liquid Foundation Application
When blemishes or redness make an unwelcome appearance, wear a liquid foundation for a flawless face fake out. The application of your foundation is perhaps the most important thing, apart from when you first find the perfect shade and formula for your skin type. When making that purchase, you should look out for key terms such as “liquid,” “matte,” “full coverage,” “weightless,” and “long lasting.” Some great options are Urban Decay’s All Nighter Liquid Foundation and Bobbi Brown’s Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15.
Foundation brushes are a popular tool in applying foundation, but beauty blenders have been taking over in this area. Foundation brushes are precise and allow for an airbrush finish, however they are not always up to standard when the foundation is a liquid formula. In this case, a beauty blender may be your best bet in using less product, being more gentle on your skin, and of course, blending! Try patting the foundation with the blender onto your skin with quick motions for a fully polished makeup finish.
Ready, SET, Go!
Setting your makeup helps absorb excess oils and reduce foundation and concealer from seeping into your pores. You can accomplish this through setting powder, finishing powder, and/or setting spray. Powders tend to be more effective than sprays, though. A setting powder should be applied by patting it onto the skin with a fluffy brush after your foundation and any other coverage is on. Then, you should let it “bake” on your skin for 5 to 10 minutes before gently sweeping it off with the same makeup brush. At the very end of your makeup routine, after you have completed additional steps such as filling in your eyebrows and contouring, apply finishing powder to blur in the same way.
Eye Shadow Without Fallout
Nothing is more frustrating than when eye shadow falls onto your eyelashes and cheeks, and makes you feel like you are wasting product. Try to find single pans or pallets that are pigmented yet durable enough that they don’t immediately flake and fall off. A suitable option is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Pallet. Another tip is that you probably shouldn’t use the standard brush included in eye shadow pallets because they definitely aren’t the best or only option. In fact you should use a few brushes when applying multiple shades.
Beginner Guide: A stamp brush is a good start in packing product on, a medium eye-shadow brush is less compact and easier for sweeping product, a cut crease brush gives definition in the crease of your eyelid, and an eye blender brush is longer and softens any harsh edges.
Lipstick Contouring
If you are trying to figure out how to compliment and complete your polished makeup, sweep on lipstick to pull your look all together. Typical creamy-based lipsticks add a sultry shine and are easy to apply on smoothly. Matte-drying formulas pack a bold punch but when in the form of liquid formulas, it can be more difficult to apply or maintain. For a fuller pout effect, consider contouring your lips. Lip kits are quite popular right now thanks to Kylie Jenner and they are perfect for giving you all of the tools you need to achieve a polished lip look.
First, add a generous layer of lip balm or Vaseline to hydrate your lips to prevent an overly-dry matte coverage. Next, apply lip liner on the cusp of your lips, being sure not to go too far outside of your natural shape. You should than apply the matte lipstick quickly and evenly using the lip liner as your guide to cover and stay inside. You can even add a bit of highlighter or a lighter shade of creamy lipstick in the middle of your lips for a voluptuous look.
Let us see your polished makeup look with your evening dress by tagging us on Instagram @glamandgowns, and Faviana’s Instagram @Faviana, Snapchat @Faviana_NY, and Twitter @FavianaNY. Also, don’t forget to check out our makeup tips and tricks guide.
XO,
Faviana Team
